UAE hit back after McCallum hundred

Neil McCallum's excellent 109, his maiden first-class hundred, helped Scotland take a useful 25-run first-innings lead on the third day of their Intercontinental Cup match against UAE at Sharjah. The home side batted aggressively in response, however, and go into the fourth day leading by 132 runs.

McCallum and Gavin Hamilton's steady fourth-wicket partnership of 83 ended when Hamilton edged Ali Asad behind. And though Dougie Brown (30) and Craig Wright (31) helped form useful stands, the impetus was with McCallum. He didn't disappoint, scampering well-placed singles and crashing three fours and a six in his 76-ball 109. He fell to Ahmed Nadeem, who ended with impressive figures of 5 for 84, but Scotland took a narrow lead.

UAE soon put the scores level, though, with Mohammad Iqbal smashing a quickfire 43 from 36 balls, putting on 63 with his captain, Arshad Ali, who ended the day unbeaten on 61. Gayan Silva, the wicketkeeper, again batted with care in his second half-century of the match and Scotland will need early wickets tomorrow morning if they are to force a victory.